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Corbin making strong case for No. 5 spot

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Of the three pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot in the D-backs rotation, there's no question Patrick Corbin has pitched the best so far this spring.

But with more than two weeks left to go there is still time for Tyler Skaggs and Randall Delgado to make their cases.

Corbin allowed one run on four hits in four innings of work Tuesday against the Mariners in a 5-4 victory. Three of his four outings have been impressive.

"I'm certainly not disappointed, but I don't want him to get in a position where he's just happy with what he's done so far," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's got to keep pushing to get better and better and better."

Corbin worked on throwing his two-seam fastball in to left-handed hitters and was pleased with his outing.

"I felt good today," he said. "I was able to locate my fastball and I thought I threw some real good changeups today. The three of us are all going out there fighting for [the No. 5 spot], but you have to go out there and just pitch your game and I feel that's what I've been doing."

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.